The Docks Waterfront Entertainment Complex
Encyclopedia
Polson Pier, previously known as The Docks Waterfront Entertainment Complex or The Docks, is a multi-purpose entertainment
venue in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is located in largely industrial Port Lands area of the city along the shore of Toronto Harbour
.
It includes the Sound Academy, which is a concert hall/nightclub
with a capacity of 3,230 occupants over 13240 square feet (1,230 m²) of floor space.
The site is also home to an extensive amusement area, with facilities for go karts
, rock climbing
, mini golf
, paintball
, beach volleyball
, and a driving range
.
The Lakeview Drive-In is located at the far end of the driving range that is used during the day. The site is converted into a drive-in theater at sunset. It is the only drive-in movie theatre
in downtown Toronto. Open on summer weekends, the drive-in can accommodate up to 1200 people and 500 vehicles.
On July 24, 2006 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
revoked the Docks' liquor licence. This was the culmination of a 10 year long dispute with the Toronto Islands
' residents regarding excessive noise. On July 28, 2006 the Court of Appeal for Ontario judge granted a stay, pending an appeal heard January, 2007. By the summer of 2008, the complex had been sold to new owners who took measures to appease its neighbours, including ending all-night parties and soundproofing its indoor venue.
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
venue in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located in largely industrial Port Lands area of the city along the shore of Toronto Harbour
Toronto Harbour
Toronto Harbour or Toronto Bay is a bay on the north shore of Lake Ontario, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a natural harbour, protected from Lake Ontario waves by the Toronto Islands. It is a commercial port on the Great Lakes as well as a recreational harbour...
.
It includes the Sound Academy, which is a concert hall/nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
with a capacity of 3,230 occupants over 13240 square feet (1,230 m²) of floor space.
The site is also home to an extensive amusement area, with facilities for go karts
Kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits...
, rock climbing
Climbing wall
A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...
, mini golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf,...
, paintball
Paintball
Paintball is a sport in which players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water soluble dye and gelatin shell outside propelled from a device called a paintball marker . Paintballs have a non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble...
, beach volleyball
Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball, or sand volleyball, is an Olympic team sport played by two teams of two players on a sand court divided by a net.Like volleyball, the object of the game is to send the ball over the net in order to ground it on the opponent’s court, and to prevent the same effort by the opponent....
, and a driving range
Driving range
A driving range is an area where golfers can practice their swing. It can also be a recreational activity itself for amateur golfers or when enough time for a full game is not available. Many golf courses have a driving range attached and they are also found as stand-alone facilities, especially...
.
The Lakeview Drive-In is located at the far end of the driving range that is used during the day. The site is converted into a drive-in theater at sunset. It is the only drive-in movie theatre
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
in downtown Toronto. Open on summer weekends, the drive-in can accommodate up to 1200 people and 500 vehicles.
On July 24, 2006 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is a quasi-judicial Crown agency which regulates the alcohol and gaming industries of Ontario...
revoked the Docks' liquor licence. This was the culmination of a 10 year long dispute with the Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
' residents regarding excessive noise. On July 28, 2006 the Court of Appeal for Ontario judge granted a stay, pending an appeal heard January, 2007. By the summer of 2008, the complex had been sold to new owners who took measures to appease its neighbours, including ending all-night parties and soundproofing its indoor venue.